How can we do a better job of developing innovation, and innovation policy, to benefit the public interest, achieve social justice goals, and ensure public legitimacy? How can our government institutions better anticipate and address the ethical, social, environmental, and public health implications of emerging science and technology? Why and how have citizens become more critical of scientific and technological development and the institutions that govern it, and what can we do about it? These are the questions that drive Parthasarathy's research, teaching, and public engagement.